Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Japan Hike, Bike & Kayak" (AJHB), but here are some similar trips.
Japan Hike, Bike & Kayak
13 days, Osaka to Tokyo
Itinerary Notes
Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.
We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.
Itinerary
Day 1Osaka
Arrive at any time.
We highly recommend booking pre-accommodation in Osaka to see more of this interesting city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Osaka/Chikatsuyu
Take the train from Osaka to Chikatsuyu to begin the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage hike.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Chikatsuyu Hike
Hike along the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, with a circular hike from Chikatsuyu.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 3Chikatsuyu/Katsuura
Enjoy a day hike along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, reach the Hongu Taisha Shrine with the largest torii gate in Japan. Afterwards, board a bus for coastal Katsuura.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Hike
Hike to Kumano Hongu Taisha, marked at the entrance by the largest torii gate in the world. Walk along trails through forested areas and past various villages to reach the famous shrine.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Katsuura/Wakayama
Hike to one of Japan's best-known waterfalls and the Kumano Nachi Taisha, an ancient site along this pilgrimage trail, before heading to Wakayama for the night.
Kumano Nachi Taisha Hike
Hike along woodland trails to reach the majestic Kumano Nachi Taisha, a shrine set alongside Japan's highest waterfall and surrounded by primeval forest.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Day 5Wakayama/Kyoto
Visit the impressive site of Wakayama Castle before transferring by train to Kyoto.
Wakayama Castle Visit
The Castle has stood perched above Wakayama since the Edo period of the sixteenth century. Explore the nooks and crannys of this fortification and look down over the city below.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Day 6Kyoto
Take in the vibrant colours of Fushimi Inari shrine and explore the historic side of Kyoto.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Visit
Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.
Day 7Kyoto/Onomichi
Explore more of Kyoto with free time before taking the train to Onomichi.
Free Time
Opt to visit Nijo Castle or stroll through the historic Gion area with a free morning in this charming city.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Gion Walk
FreeWalk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
Nijo Castle and Gardens Visit
600JPY per personVisit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.
Day 8Onomichi/Ikuchi Jima
Enjoy a day of cycling across bridges and islands to the south of Honshu, exploring small villages along the way. Spend the night in a ryokan inn on Ikuchi Jima and savour a traditional kaiseki meal.
Shimanami Kaido Cycle: Onomichi to Ikuchi Jima
Take to two wheels and cycle across the Shimanami Kaido, setting off from quaint Onomichi. Take in scenic views as you cross bridges and prepare for some challenging uphill climbs as you bike to Ikuchi Jima.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 9Ikuchi Jima/Matsuyama
Cycle along the Shimanami Kaido towards Imabari City. Continue on to Matsuyama to rest for the night.
Shimanami Kaido Cycle: Ikuchi Jima to Imabari City
Continue your journey along the Shimanami Kaido heading for Imabari. Enjoy the rural villages and great views along the route.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Matsuyama/Hiroshima
Transfer by ferry to Hiroshima. This afternoon visit the Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the city's tragic history.
The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those killed by the atomic bomb and others who subsequently died. The burning flame in the park will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. Take a tram ride through the city to reach Peace Park.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Hiroshima Park and Peace Memorial
Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Hiroshima
Travel to the island of Miyajima from Hiroshima. Hop into a kayak and paddle out to the iconic torii gate which floats in the bay.
Please note the floating Torii Gate will be under construction from June 2019 to Aug 2020.
Miyajima Island Visit
Take a trip to Miyajima Island, famed as one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a free afternoon to explore. See the famous floating Torii Gate, set out in the bay, which glows extraordinarily at sunset. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, populated by deer, and traversed with hiking trails for those who want to get some exercise. There are also lanes full of souvenirs and tasty treats. Visit Miyajima at your own pace, and have the option to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Sea Kayaking
Enjoy a unique visit to the famous floating torii gate at Miyajima, paddling around the gate by sea kayak.
Day 12Hiroshima/Tokyo
Transfer to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo by train and explore with some free time in the afternoon.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Free Time
Get out and discover this buzzing city.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Ueno Park Visit
FreeAs Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).
Day 13Tokyo
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.